Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17925, Francis French, Conn

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
French, Francis Sylvia
W. 17925
CONTENTS

1266.
Connecticut
Sylvia French widow of Francis French who was a Private Conn. line in the Conn. line for 12 mo. & 19 d's
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 42 Dollars & 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of August, 1843. and sent to Isaac Sherman, Bridgeport Conn.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1. Page 67.

No 7836
Hon J. P. Osborne H. R.

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport
On this 19 th day of May A D 1841 personally appeared before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Bridgeport in said County & State Sylvia French late of Derby New Haven County Connecticut aged Seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "an Act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows:"
That She is the widow of Francis French late of the Town of Derby county of New Haven & State of Connecticut now de who according to the best of her knowledge and belief served in the Revolutionary War in the following manner To wit
That in the Summer of 1776 he belonged to the Militia Trainband Company of said Derby under command as She believes of Capt Paul Holbrook and went with said Company to the City of New York remembering to have heard her said husband say that he was with said Company when they retreated out of New York at the time the Battle took said City and that he served said Company in this campaign at least two months as a private soldier.

for proof of the foregoing service She refers to the Depositions of Nathan Johnson & Hannah Hawkins hereto annexed
That in the Summer of 1779 he belonged to said Militia Company when said Company was ordered into service at the time the British landed & burnt the Towns of New Haven Fairfield & Norwalks, in consequence That he went in said Company from said Derby to New Haven and from there followed the British with said Company to Fairfield & Norwalks and was in this service as a private Soldier at least one week
That he enlisted and served at least ten months in Capt Peter Perrot Company in Col Mathew Meads Company Regiment of Connecticut Troops as a private Soldier at Norwalks, in Con. as stated in the Deposition of Samuel Green of Milford hereto annexed who is a Pensioner and has been as She believes allowed for the same service and to which Deposition & his Puloration at Washington to obtain a Pension She respectfully refers — for the particular relative to said service which as she believes was performed in the year 1780. Said Samuel Green is a Resident of the Town of Milford New Haven County State of Connecticut. & resides there where placed on the Pension Roll as she believes —

That in the year 1781 the said Francis French was in service at New London in the State of Connecticut at least six weeks as a private soldier as proved by the deposition of Samuel Hawkins hereto annexed who was a Pensioner and has been allowed for the same service to whose Pension Declaration at Washington for all the particulars relative to said service she would respectfully refer. (said Samuel Hawkins being now dead)
   months Weeks     1 st term 1776 2   2 nd do 1779 1   3 rd do 1780 10   4 th do 1781 1 2   13 3  
That she has no documentary evidence in her possession to prove her services remembers that her husband showed her some old papers which he said was his Discharges but which papers have since been lost as she left them in her house with another family while she was absent on a visit to her Children —
That the reason she makes this Declaration in the County of Fairfield instead of the County of New Haven is that it is more convenient for her to do it at the Probate Court in Bridgeport than New Haven That the reason she has not presented her

claim for a Pension, at an earlier day is that she has not until recently been able to find the necessary proof.
Interrogatory by the court. —
where & what year was said Francis French born & have you a Record of his birth. Answer he was born in said Town of Derby the 22 day of May 1758. has a Record of his birth in his bible at Home and lived in said Derby when called into said Service and lived there until his discharge except when in said Service.
He was born in the Town of Watertown in said New Haven County February 17 th 1769. and lived with said Francis in said Derby ever since my marriage to her until his discharge and have lived in said Derby until this day except about 3 years since his death she I resided in Lyme, New London & Saybrook with my children.
And said Sylvia French would respectfully refer to the evidence of the Connecticut State Records the copies of which probably accompany the Pension Certificates of Nathan Johnson Samuel Hawkins & Samuel Green for Pensions now at Washington all of whom are Pensioners on the Roll of the Connecticut agency, for further evidence on the case.

She further declares that she was married to the said Francis French in said Town of Derby by the Rev. Morton Fuller the Congregational Pastor of the Church in said Derby on the first day of July in the Year Seventeen hundred and eighty eight.
That her husband the aforesaid Francis French died of the Dropsy in the Chest at said Derby on the twentieth day of May A.D. 1824 That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred & twenty four viz. at the time above stated. and that her name before her marriage was Sylvia Pritchard —
Sylvia French
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that the words Sylvia French of Derby New Haven County Connecticut between the 5th & 6th lines from the beginning was double-underlined before execution.
Isaac Sherman Judge of said Probate Court

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the foregoing named applicant is the widow of Francis French and who served as the States Isaac Sherman Attest. Judge
Philolaus Clegg
I Philolaus Clegg Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the Widow Sylvia French for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 19 th day of May A.D. 1841.
Philolaus Clegg

I Nathaniel Johnson of Derby New Haven County State of Connecticut of Lawful Age do Depose and say that I was acquainted with Francis French of said Derby and was with him in the service of the Revolutionary war under the command of Col. Jabez Thompson and Capt. Daniel Holbrook Stationed in the City of New York about two months previous to the time that the City was taken possession of by the British at which time I was sick and was carried out of the City and knew no more of him - I was Seventy nine years of age last March Dated Derby Oct 11 th 1838 Nathaniel Johnson
New Haven County ss Derby Oct 11 th 1838 Personally appeared Nathaniel Johnson signer of the foregoing Deposition and made solemn oath to the truth thereof contained Before me Isaac J. Gilbert Justice of the Peace
I further certify that Nathaniel Johnson is a credible witness Isaac J. Gilbert Justice of Peace

I Samuel Hawkins of Derby New Haven County State of Connecticut do Depose and Say that I was acquainted with Francis French of said Derby and went with him to New London and engaged with him in the service of the Revolutionary war about two months previous to the time the fort was taken by the British at that place, the said Francis French left New London about two weeks previous to the time the said fort was taken and according to my best recollections he was in the service about six weeks. Dated Derby Oct 12 th 1838
Samuel Hawkins New Haven County ss Derby Oct 12 th 1838 Personally appeared Samuel Hawkins Signer of the foregoing Deposition and made solemn oath to the truth therein contained Before me Isaac J. Gilbert Justice of the Peace
I further certify that Samuel Hawkins is a credible witness Isaac J. Gilbert Justice of Peace

I Samuel Green of Milford, County of New Haven and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that in the month of June 1780 I enlisted into the milita- ry service of the United States into a Company commanded by Capt Peter Perrit belonging to a regiment under the command of Col Matthew Mead and was stationed at Horse-Necks in the state of Connecticut where I was engaged in the service of my country for the space of ten months -
None I also depose and say that Francis French of Der- by enlisted into the same company, was stationed at the same place and served according to the best of my recollection for the same period of time, and further saith not.
Samuel Green
New-Haven County ss Milford January 08 1821
Personally appeared Samuel Green the above named deponent, a person of veracity, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me Abijah Carrington Justice of the Peace

Hannah Hawkins of the Town of Derby County of New Haven & State of Connecticut 76 years of age Depose and Saith That she is own Sistrn to Francis French the husband of Sylvia French of Derby who is now applying for a Pension and remembers that said Francis served in the Revolutionary War at several different Periods but cannot State any thing very particular about his service as to the place & time but remembers perfectly well that he was gone from home at various times in the service particularly at New York & when New Haven Fairfield Norwalk was burnt, and that she vividly believes that said Francis was in said service a longer time than 12 months & 3 weeks as stated in said Sylvia Declaration Also further states that said Francis died at said Derby of the Dropsy in the Chest the 12 th of May in 1824. and that said Sylvia has never married since the death of said Francis French —
Hannah Hawkins
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield } ss Bridgeport May 19 th 1841. Personally appeared Hannah Hawkins on open court & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me who certify is a credible witness Isaac Shipman Judge of Probate

To whom it may concern
This certifies that the marriage of Francis French to Silvia Pritchard stands recorded in the Register of the first Congregational Church in Derby Conn: under date of July first seventeen hundred eighty eight (July 1 st 1788) Derby April 12 th A D 1841
In presence of Caroline Read Lyman Osborn
Hollis Read Clerk of 1 st Cong: Ch: Derby Ct.
New Haven County S s April 12 th 1841 Personally appeared before me Hollis Read and made solemn Oath that the above certificate is a true copy of the original Register
Lyman Osborn Justice of the Peace I further certify that Hollis Read is a credible Witness Lyman Osborn Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut New Haven County Esq.
I H on Beach Clerk of the County Court within & for said County & Keeper of the seal thereof, & of the Commissions of Justices of the peace within & for said County, hereby certify, that Isaac J. Gilbert, from the 28 th day of May 1838 to the 20 th day of June 1839; & Abijah Carrington from the 5 th day of June 1840 to the 20 th day of June 1841; & Lyman Osborn from the 5 th day of June 1840 to the 20 th day of June 1841 were respectively Justices of the peace within & for the said County duly appointed Commissioned & sworn with power to administer oaths & take the acknowledgment of deeds, & that their respective commissions were dated from the respective dates aforesaid & continued to the respective dates above mentioned.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 20 th day of May A D 1841
H on Beach Clerk

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17925- Sylvia French Widow of Francis French Pre Civil War
Act: March 3rd 48
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 254
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Frances French d 1824 May 12 Sylvia French m 1798 S.
Sunn 76 Im. Dan Holbrook
" 79 7 days " "
+ 80 9) 10mo B Penut. M mead quana Hase Mich
81 1 12 12 19 \left. \begin{array}{r} 4333 \\ 24 \\ 144 \end{array} \right\}
+ Sand Green ad frng. Mulford N.Y. Saw Hawkins " " —
Green. dec. 1832
1780 Sunn. 6 mo Cape Sandford Co C Sherman.
57799. Pite Ponds

6010
Connecticut
Sylvia French
widow of Francis French
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 12th day 1821 of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Purrel of the regt commanded by Col. Steele in the Connecticut Militia for 12 months & 19 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 112 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of June 1841 & handed to Hon. J. B. Asbourn Hearse Representative
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $210.55 Semi-annual allowance ending
$210.55
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by Geo. S. Moody Clerk, Book a Vol. 1 Page 180
James M. ... West ...

Washington May 29. 1841
Sir - I herewith enclose the application and papers in the case of the widow Sylvia French - Please give it an early consideration and communicate the result to me -
very respectfully Your Obedt Servt
Thomas B. Arbuckle
James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions

935
French
$42:11 per am
Isaac Sherman Bridgeport Conn
That the signature to this indentment within subscribed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature.
In testimony whereof, I have set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court this third day of May Eighteen hundred and forty three
John H. Olsson Clerk

8 State of Connecticut } County of New Haven } vs. Parley On this twelfth day of April - A.D. 1843 personally appeared before me Joseph P. Canfield a Justice of the Peace in and for said New Haven County Sylvia French a resident of said Town of Parley in said County aged 74 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 d of March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of Francis French of said Parley de who was a private Soldier in said War of the Revolution, as will appear by her Declaration for a Pension at the Pension office dated May 19 th 1841, and the Annual amount of Pension that she Received under the act of July 7 th 1838 as his widow was forty two Dollars and Eleven cents - She further declares she is still the widow of said Francis French de Sylvia French
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me, and I certify that said Sylvia French is personally known to me to be the widow of said Francis French de Joseph P. Canfield Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut } New Haven County }
I Robert H. Osborn Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County of New Haven in the State of Connecticut and Keeper of the seal thereof and of the Commission of the Justices of the Peace for said County hereby certify that Joseph P. Canfield Esq. was on the 10 th day of June 1842, and ever since has been and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly appointed Commissioned and sworn, with power by the laws of this State to administer oaths and take acknowledgment of deed and other Instruments that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature to this instrument within subscribed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature.
In testimony whereof, I have set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this third day of May eighteen hundred and forty three
Robert H. Osborn Clerk
935

Sylvia French Wid of Francis Conn
Ad July 7 1838
Marrid 1788
did May 12 1874
Allow 12 Box 19 days pr Comm Militia Coast Pmtz Bd Mead p 43.11 pr
See Same Green paper ad Conn June 7. No. 28 193
Acc T B Osborne
HR
4211 5- 21055

State of Conn.
Bridgeport
J. L. Edwards Esq. May 6 th 1843
Sir I send you the herewith application of Sylvia French of Derby please send her certificate to me
Yours Respectfully
Isaac Sherman